Key Points
- CEO sale: Williams‑Sonoma CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares on March 16 at an average of $183.04 for $3,660,800, trimming her stake by 2.48% while still owning 786,537 shares (~$144M); the sale was disclosed in an SEC Form 4.
- Mixed quarter but dividend hike: Q4 reported EPS of $3.04 beat estimates ($2.90) but revenue missed at $2.36B (down ~4.3% YoY), and the board raised the quarterly dividend ~15% to $0.76 ($3.04 annualized, ~29% payout ratio).
- Analyst sentiment and valuation: Williams‑Sonoma has a market cap of $21.95B and a P/E of 20.23, carries a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $203.78 and several firms raising targets (e.g., TD Cowen $245).
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Get Free Report) CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.04, for a total value of $3,660,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 786,537 shares of the company's stock, valued at $143,967,732.48. The trade was a 2.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink.
Laura Alber also recently made the following trade(s):
- On Thursday, January 15th, Laura Alber sold 35,000 shares of Williams-Sonoma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.39, for a total transaction of $7,258,650.00.
Williams-Sonoma Price Performance
Shares of WSM opened at $183.90 on Thursday. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 1-year low of $130.07 and a 1-year high of $222.00. The company has a market capitalization of $21.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.64. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $204.34 and its 200 day simple moving average is $195.04.
Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 18th. The specialty retailer reported $3.04 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.90 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $2.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.41 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 14.30% and a return on equity of 53.10%. The business's quarterly revenue was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.28 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 8.36 earnings per share for the current year.
Williams-Sonoma Increases Dividend
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, April 17th will be given a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. This is a boost from Williams-Sonoma's previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 17th. Williams-Sonoma's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.04%.
Key Williams-Sonoma News
Here are the key news stories impacting Williams-Sonoma this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat and strong profitability — Williams‑Sonoma reported $3.04 EPS vs. estimates near $2.90 and delivered industry‑leading margins and operating leverage, which investors rewarded. Business Wire: Results
- Positive Sentiment: Dividend boost — The board raised the quarterly dividend ~15% to $0.76, signaling confidence in cash flow and returning capital to shareholders. Benzinga: Dividend Hike
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst support — TD Cowen reiterated/assigned a Buy with a $225 target, providing additional validation for upside expectations. TipRanks: TD Cowen Buy
- Neutral Sentiment: Company outlook — Management gave an optimistic FY outlook and forecast comparable‑sales growth of 2%–6%, which reassured investors but includes execution risk if the consumer softens. WSJ: Upbeat Forecast
- Negative Sentiment: Revenue miss and YOY decline — Revenue came in at $2.36B vs. estimates near $2.41B and was down ~4.3% year‑over‑year, a drag on top‑line growth despite margin strength. MarketBeat: Earnings Summary
- Negative Sentiment: Insider selling — CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares (~$3.66M), reducing her stake modestly; investors sometimes view insider sales as a cautionary signal. SEC Form 4
- Negative Sentiment: Calendar/comp distortions — Fiscal week differences (Q4 had 13 vs prior year 14 weeks) and weaker total sales complicate year‑over‑year comparisons and create some uncertainty around sustaining growth. Business Wire: Quarter Notes
Analyst Ratings Changes
WSM has been the topic of a number of research reports. Evercore set a $215.00 price target on Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Williams-Sonoma from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $206.00 price objective on Williams-Sonoma and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. TD Cowen restated a "buy" rating and issued a $245.00 target price (up from $210.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Williams-Sonoma presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $203.78.
View Our Latest Research Report on WSM
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Williams-Sonoma
Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Williams-Sonoma in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 51.5% during the 4th quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 147 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 111.8% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 144 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 130.8% during the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 180 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the period. Finally, MidFirst Bank purchased a new stake in Williams-Sonoma in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. 99.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
About Williams-Sonoma
(
Get Free Report)
Williams‑Sonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on the home and culinary markets, best known for premium cookware, kitchen tools and home furnishings. The company traces its roots to a single cookware store founded by Chuck Williams in 1956 in Sonoma, California, and has evolved into a multi‑brand home furnishings and housewares business. Its merchandise mix spans cookware and kitchen electrics, tabletop and food prep items, furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories designed for both everyday use and higher‑end interiors.
The company operates a portfolio of consumer brands that target distinct segments of the home market.
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